The Power of Connection

Have you ever had the good fortune of connecting with a truly inspiring mentor? If so, you know first-hand the profound impact this kind of relationship can have on personal growth.

Mentorship is universally described as a partnership between a more experienced person (a “mentor”) with a certain area of expertise, and a “mentee” wanting to learn. If you look carefully, these rich connections can be found in all aspects of life — including the corporate world.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) was honoured earlier this year with an invitation for The Meadoway to participate in one such unique mentorship opportunity, through the prestigious High Line Network.

The High Line is a two-kilometre elevated linear park built on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan. The project officially opened to the public 10 years ago.

The creators of the High Line have been transparent when discussing the challenges of building a greenway in a major urban centre. The innovative design was considered radical and “outside the box”. But the High Line’s visionaries were not deterred, and the elevated park is now considered an international success story.

The High Line

The High Line project’s leaders are committed to sharing their vast experience and lessons learned with other infrastructure reuse projects. It was with this intent that the High Line Network was born.

“What I hope the High Line has done is make the impossible possible. The network helps all of us learn from each other so that our spaces can reach their full potential,” said co-founder Robert Hammond.

In the history of the network, only one other Canadian project has been asked to join this impressive group: The Bentway in Toronto. So, it was with great enthusiasm that team members from The Meadoway began joining bi-weekly calls with project leads from across North America.

We have found that the sharing of ideas, resources, and support is at the core of this inspiring group.

As part of the introduction to the network, each new member is assigned a mentor project that ideally aligns with the scope of their work. The Meadoway has been partnered with the High Line Canal Conservancy in Denver, Colorado.

This remarkable 114-kilometre linear trail system is steeped in history and community engagement. Our team is looking forward to learning more about their successes and challenges as we tap into their expertise.

Though many of the projects within the High Line Network have vastly different challenges, everyone at the table shares the same vision — to build thriving and equitable public spaces.

There has never been a better time to focus our collective energies on building outdoor spaces for people to connect and rejuvenate. As a protégé, The Meadoway is ready to learn from others as we work towards our goal of creating one of Canada’s largest and most impressive linear greenspaces.

Conceptual rendering: community members enjoy opportunities to participate in urban agriculture in The Meadoway.

Posted by Karen Horsman

Karen Horsman is the Communications Manager for The Meadoway project.